Spyware program resorts to blackmail

A new spyware program that lures computer users by claiming to
give free access to pornographic web content ends up by
"blackmailing" them into purchasing a program to clean the
infection, a security firm said.

US-based Panda Software said the program called DigiKeyGen
generates passwords that supposedly enable users to access to
pornographic websites.

At the same time, a spyware program and an alleged anti-spyware
application are installed on a computer without the users'
knowledge, Panda said.

It then warns users that their computer is infected and offers
them an anti-spyware program to clean the system for $US50.

"You must always be suspicious of offers for something in
exchange for almost nothing," said Luis Corrons, director of Panda
Software Labs, noting that the technique is not new.

"Cybercrime, which aims to make easy money, simply applies
traditional fraud techniques to the Internet and as a result,
anybody tempted by the chance to get something for nothing is taken
in, unaware of the risks of apparently harmless actions, such as
downloading small programs or accessing certain websites."

In a separate security warning, Sophos Labs warned on Tuesday
that a security alert claiming to be from Microsoft is in fact a
"trojan" that steals passwords.

Sophos said that e-mails, which have the subject line "Microsoft
WinLogon Service - Vulnerability Issue" and purport to come from
patchAmicrosoft.com, claim that a vulnerability has been found and
direct the recipient to download the fix.

"However, the link really points to a non-Microsoft website and
initiates the download of the Troj/BeastPWS-C Trojan horse, which
is capable of spying on the infected user and stealing passwords,"
Sophos said.

SPONSORED LINKS

1148956390062-theage.com.auhttp://www.theage.com.au/news/security/spyware-program-resorts-to-blackmail/2006/05/31/1148956390062.htmltheage.com.auAAP2006-05-31Spyware program resorts to blackmailTechnologySecurityTech